Four West Michigan businesses will invest $15.7 million in expansions that could bring some 465 new jobs to the state's economy. The
Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced nearly $2M in incentives awarded through the Michigan Business Development Program to encourage the companies to stay in West Michigan and develop employment opportunities here.
The companies are:
Center Manufacturing (Byron Center), a metal stamping company serving the transportation and industrial markets;
Huntington Foam (Greenville), a supplier of custom foam shapes for the furniture, plumbing and other industries;
MedDirect, Inc. (Grand Rapids), a provider of customer services and billing services for healthcare systems; and Muskegon Castings Corporation, part of
Port City Group (Muskegon), a manufacturer of aluminum and zinc castings, plastic injection molding, and aluminum recycling and smelting, as well as other services.
Center Manufacturing plans a $1.02M expansion and 80 new jobs, including equipment operator positions, craftsmen positions, management jobs and some administrative positions.
Huntington Foam will create 30 new jobs as a result of a $2.56M facilities expansion. The company elected to remain in Michigan after considering several neighboring states.
MedDirect, Inc., will invest $2.1M to create some 300 new jobs over the next three years, including data analyst positions, managerial positions and customer support jobs. The company chose Michigan over sites in Ohio and Illinois.
Muskegon Castings will establish a new $10M facility in Muskegon, expanding its operations and creating 55 new advanced manufacturing jobs. Despite a competing site in Indiana, the company elected to expand in Michigan.
"These investments prove that the West Michigan economy can grow and is growing on a diversified basis," says Tim Mroz, VP of communications at
The Right Place, an economic development organization that worked with Center Manufacturing, Huntington Foam and MedDirect and the MEDC to keep the companies in Michigan.
"We have growth in a whole host of industries including healthcare services and advanced manufacturing, not just in one area," Mroz says. "These projects are examples of regional collaboration at work."
Source: Tim Mroz, Right Place, Inc.; Media Release, Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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